PS 8 PTA

Gardening Club

PS 8 PTA — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:41:12 +0000

PS 8 has partnered since the 2010-11 school year with a professional gardener, Jonathan Landsman of the Promenade Gardens Conservancy, to host an after-school gardening club for students in fourth and fifth grades. Up to 10 students can participate in the club and participants are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students in the gardening club meet every other week for six hour-and-a-half long sessions in the spring; PS 8 plans to expand the program to include a fall session in the 2012-13 school year. Students in the club participate in inquiry-based learning and hands-on instruction in the gardens along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Students have seen how plants protect themselves from herbivores and winters, why sugar is like money, why flowers are like billboards, and other ways plants are like people trying to endure and flourish in a competitive, unpredictable world.

Student Newspaper

PS 8 PTA — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:33:55 +0000

A few students approached staff developer Anne Powers in the 2010-11 school year about writing and publishing a school newspaper. She was excited about the possibility as she always looks for opportunities to have students’ own interests animate and guide their work. Together Ms. Anne and the students developed the PS 8 Robert Fulton News. The students meet after school once a week to work on the paper and have, for the past two years, published three to four editions a year.

PS 8 Robert Fulton News (2011-12)

Student Newspaper

PS 8 PTA — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:54:03 +0000

Read the latest PS 8 news written by the after-school student newspaper program.
A few students approached staff developer Anne Powers in the 2010-11 school year about writing and publishing a school newspaper. She was excited about the possibility as she always looks for opportunities to have students’ own interests animate and guide their work. Together Ms. Anne and the students developed the PS 8 Robert Fulton News. The students meet after school once a week to work on the paper and have, for the past two years, published three to four editions a year.

PS 8 Robert Fulton News (2011-12)

Online Auction

PS 8 PTA — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:40:13 +0000

Here’s the latest offering in our series of online auctions. This auction closes on Monday, May 21 at 10.00p and we expect this item to see some heavy bidding so if you’re interested, keep an eye on this item and don’t miss your chance to make the winning bid. All proceeds benefit PS 8.

Two Orchestra Seats for One Direction this Memorial Day Weekend!
UK Boy Band Sensation, One Direction, is taking the US by storm!! Their first-ever U.S. headlining tour sold out in MINUTES!

You might have seen them on the Today Show, or as special guest on iCarly, or their spectacular performance at Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards, or even SNL – but here’s your chance to see them LIVE this Memorial Day Weekend. It’s the hottest ticket in town!!

Two (2) orchestra tickets
Beacon Theater
Saturday, May 26, MATINEE show at 3 pm

Face value: $64.50 each. Getting your kid to the SOLD-OUT show of her dreams, while helping her school in the process: Priceless.
Click here to bid online

Student Art Exhibit at the Guggenheim

PS 8 PTA — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:42:01 +0000

The Guggenheim Museum’s annual show of student artwork opened last night with a private viewing for funders and participating classroom teachers and teaching artists. The show will be open to the public from May 10-June 11th. The following students are representing PS 8 in the exhibition (click photos for larger images):

3rd Grade Exhibit: Mia Dicanio (student docent, pictured left), Jesse Biviano, Ethen Flowers, Max Smith, Andrew Erdei, Hannah Gedanke, Shianne Scott, Devin Reiman, Mali Jackson, Mackenzie Lewis, Murphy Botko and Maciej Adamczyk.

4th Grade Exhibit: Lyn Garcia (student docent, pictured left) all fourth graders were represented by photographs of their installation pieces.

Pop-up Exhibit: In addition, there was a “pop-up” exhibition in the museum’s rotunda. These pieces were on view for the private opening only. PS 8 was represented by: Ace Fernandez (student docent, pictured left), Egypt Cousar, Gabriel Sambar-Lande, Michael Horowitz, Sophie Mode, and Pien Lalleman.

In addition to these special exhibits pictured above, all students participating in the Guggenheim art program are represented by one piece of artwork in a looping slideshow in the center of the overall student exhibition.

And in addition to our student docents, we also had several members of our PS 8 community in attendance on opening night (click photos below for larger images), including Mr. Phillips, as well as Ms. Jenny, Ms. Anne, Ms. Coates, Mr. Jansen, Ms. Hayes and this year’s artists’ assistants Clara Wanatirta (4th grade) and Stacy Feinstein and Pam Shipley (3rd grade). It was wonderful to see our student docents explaining their art and their process to the people who make the Learning Through Art program possible and doing such a great job of representing our school.

To allow all of our participating students to see their artwork on display, we’ll be conducting field trips over the next few weeks. All third grade classes will visit on Friday, May 11th. All 4th grade classes will visit on Friday, May 18th. Family Day is on June 9th from 1-4. On this day there will be activities for the kids and all PS 8 families are invited for free, even those not in 3rd and 4th grade, so bring your friends! Check out this flyer for more information.

The NY1 news channel also recently featured our students art at the Guggenheim in a short parenting spot. A shot of class 4-310′s flying dragon as well as work by Mia Dicanio (3-305) and Michael Horowitz (3-307) can be seen in the second segment of this video from NY1.

Matching Gift Challenge

PS 8 PTA — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:04:27 +0000

To donate online: click the donate button below or go to http://ps8brooklyn.org/donate

To pay by check: Checks should be made payable to the PTA of PS 8 and left in Ann Winston’s box in the main office or mailed to PTA of PS 8, 37 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Attn. Ann Winston

The Third Grade Trip to the High Line

PS 8 PTA — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:10:55 +0000

The third grade went to the High Line to see what it is like. The High Line is a park that goes from Gansevoort St. to 30th St. Soon it will go all the way to 34th St. The High Line used to be a railroad and then it was turned into a park. The railroad tracks are still there.
Click the photos above to see larger images.

When the third grade was there we saw some things that are not normally in parks. Under the railings are strips of lights. The lights are put there because the park architects wanted the people to see the city lights from above and they didn’t want tall lights to distract them.

We saw some unique benches and paths that had interesting shapes such as x’s, squiggly lines and curved lines. We also noticed there were lots of different materials used such as metal, rock and wood.

Our staff guide was Emily Pinkowitz. I asked her why she wanted to work at the High Line and she said “I like to teach and be outside and this job combined both those things.” I liked learning and being outside and that’s why I liked my trip to the High Line.

By Sonia Sergeant, 3-303

Please Join us for Cinema 8

PS 8 PTA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:11:56 +0000

Details below including online ticket purchasing options.
Click here for the program with more details about the films.

See the program for more details about the films.

Online Auction

PS 8 PTA — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:00:17 +0000

This auction is now closed. Thanks again to all the donors and bidders.

The next PS 8 Online Auction is now underway. Take a look at the latest items on the block and let the bidding begin. Remember, all proceeds go to PS 8. This auction ends on Tuesday, May 1 at 10.00p. Special thanks to those who donated these auction items.

Two Nights at The Historic Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina
Value $1000. Enjoy two adjoining luxury rooms (1 king, 1 with two doubles) for a consecutive 2 night stay, including breakfast each day. Go as two families, or just one and have a whole other room for the kids! Free wifi, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, health club and full-service spa, private lake beach and playground. Easily accessible from NYC via LIRR or Hampton Jitney. Dates subject to availability. Valid through November 15, 2012. Donated by Syma Sambar and Mark Lande.

Camp Echo – 3 Week Session (July 22 to August 11)
Value $3950. Camp Echo is a co-ed traditional sleepaway camp located about 90 minutes from NYC in the southern Catskills. For campers ages 7-13. New campers/families only. Can also be used for the last three weeks of 2013 season, if you prefer. Several PS 8 children attend this camp, so please contact us by email at auctions@ps8brooklyn.org if you would like to speak to them before making your bid! Donated by Camp Echo.

David Weeks Leda Desk Lamp in Ivory
Value $460. With a nickel-plated steel frame and elegant powder-coated aluminum shade, the Leda casts a bright, focused light perfect for reading and writing. The modern-design lamp has a distinctive ring base; shade rotates to direct light where you need it. Custom-built right here in DUMBO! 12” D x 21.5” H x 9” W. Donated by David Weeks Studio.

Maclaren Techno XT stroller in Black
Value $340. The flagship Maclaren buggy, the Techno XT stroller has it all: function, durability and style. Easy, single-handed fold with convenient carry handle weighing just 15.3 pounds. Suitable for babies from birth, it includes the new one-hand recline, as well as a head hugger and padded shoulder straps, height adjustable handles, and front and rear suspension for the ultimate smooth ride. Sovereign lifetime warranty, phthalate free, lead free. Donated by Maclaren and Cool Mom Picks.

Real Estate Brokerage Services for Buyers and Sellers
Value $1185. Moving soon? Don’t spend all that time doing a FSBO when you can have some help! 3 months of “owner-managed” real estate brokerage service gives sellers all the tools they need to do a professional job, including pricing advice, property website and ads in major publications. Buyers, have Real Direct help with your search and price negotiation, and you’ll get a 0.5% commission rebate! Donated by RealDirect.

BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn Residency with Pre-Kindergarteners

PS 8 PTA — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:30:42 +0000

It’s Tuesday morning and the pre-kindergarten classes’ creative juices are flowing.
The BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn artist educator, Lizzy, is reminding the children about the artist they are working on, for a project begun before April break. She asks if anyone knows the name of the artist. Several hands shoot up. One student exclaims “Mondrian?” No, she says, but that is an artist we worked on. Anyone else? “Andy Warhol?” another child chimes in.

The artist being discussed is Marisol (Marisol Escobar). Great artists are the inspiration for the curriculum developed jointly with pre-kindergarten teachers. The Marisol project includes, Lizzy explains, “art that has to be built, or sculpture that includes, here’s a hint, something about yourself.” It’s a self portrait sculpture.

Life size photographs of the children’s faces will be affixed to small boxes, then placed on top of larger boxes, their bodies. Students work together on a box in groups of four. Lizzy talks through the method. First, the children brush glue on the life size photograph, then stick it to the “head” of the box. After that, the artists decorate the large box with clothes and add details. A discussion of the meaning of “details” ensues.

The kids break out into their groups. The self-sculptures are taking shape and an audible creative buzz takes over the classroom. Once the faces are affixed, the kids add fabric and buttons or ribbon details with impressive results.

All in the PS 8 community are invited to celebrate the pre-kindergartners’ creative accomplishments with the students and their families at a private showing May 24 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the BRIC Rotunda gallery in Brooklyn Heights on Clinton Street.

By Alison Clarke